Contributor

Static control expert Dr. Kelly Robinson, PE, IEEE Fellow, President of Electrostatic Answers, has 25+ years of experience in problem-solving and consulting. To learn more about Dr. Robinson or Electrostatic Answers, visit: www.electrostaticanswers.com

Static is only one of many challenges in commercializing new products and in running production processes. How can we organize our information and prioritize our work so that each issue gets the attention it deserves, and no more? Analysis tools to drive data driven decisions and project prioritization concepts that have proven so valuable in managing operations should also be applied to static issues. To move ahead with on this, we need to establish a performance baseline that is acceptable, and identify maximum levels of static that are satisfactory.

I strongly support and encourage clients to use static meters to measure static levels in processes. As an engineer, it is my nature to quantify issues and analyze problems “by the numbers.” The first step is to document the levels of static in a process when thing are running fine. While measuring static when there is no problem looks like a “waste of time,” this is critical to establishing what is normal and acceptable. Once we have a time trend of static readings, we will be able to recognize when increases in static are objectionable to our customers.

Two key enablers are needed to get started.(1) You need to have a static meter.(2) You need to identify sensible locations to measure static.

Many good static meters are commercially available. And, I’ll say more about identifying sensible locations to measure static.